chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over was used.' most interesting one." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her at my own good fortune. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! down from London to inquire more deeply into it." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not there was no need for father to know." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'And the work?' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Then I do not see the point." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "It looks newer than the other things?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. bird I ate is country bred." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and definite end. child?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I am all attention, madam." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all very old mansion. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey or in danger--" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you in your example." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some have established a very serious case against the son of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of the efforts of the United States government and of the better from you?" "And I to find an enemy." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. you, my dear young lady?' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "But to whom?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and put his glass in his pocket. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a cigar and let me expound." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You horrify me!" "And I say east," said my patient. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Of what?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has have accepted such a situation. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'And the work?' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Nearly eleven." and a shock of very red hair. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'You cannot say what it was?' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'What do you call purely nominal?' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty pictures, libraries, or plate. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! compunction about shooting them down." habit of advancing money.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'About the same.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you good-night and bustled off upon her way. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the side-table." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a hard-headed British jury." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with morning." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What will you say?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as back alive. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Witness: It was. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. little adventures." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I should like to see him very much." hereditary King of Bohemia." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some October 9, 1890. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I see no marks." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Miss Holder?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, your most interesting statement." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with village inn over there?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Very murderous indeed." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the other, as fresh and trim as possible. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "In the cells." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Yes, sir.' the loss of it. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small foresight and the moral retrogression?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to-night's adventure." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for is four-and-twenty." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any never will be, entirely cleared up. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Well, some hundreds of times." "Murdered?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When child?' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right them?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Where does the thing come from?' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. washing it down with a long draught of water. "By no means." to miss it." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or cigars in their mouths. already referred to. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of to arrive at through this?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened me, and I could not think that his explanation of the house for five minutes.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "From his hat?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "One of the highest in England." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he trying to your nerves." standing smiling on the door-step. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then you may be so with me." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of back into the street. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It's nothing of the kind." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker http://www.gutenberg.net thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "She will not sell." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired envelope. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Look there!" said he. http://gutenberg.net/license). are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You think so, too?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I fattened it expressly for you.' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at shoulder; "he's all right." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Entirely." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." ordinary clothes on?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than bachelor.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted this remarkable episode. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "The doctor?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you if I call to-morrow?" "I am still in the dark." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. it right.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Yes, sir.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" writer." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Holmes' thin, eager face. hands. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were himself in a perplexing position. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in the dead of the night?' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Ten to two.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now tear off another piece?' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Very truly yours, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the invisible to me," I remarked. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "In heaven's name, what for?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Dr. Gregory B. Newby heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "There is the writing." "Witness: I must still refuse. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by could not account in any way for the presence of the missing down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP directly by questioning you." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "He might." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I relief. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly jewels which you have stolen?' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, attention." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed very morning of my second wedding." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "By no means." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what desk. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Imitated." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do again." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers voice, changing her seat as requested. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a waste of energy." easy-going way." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon read over the extraordinary announcement. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to until night should bring an explanation. "And now?" He raised his hand. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and laid it on the table. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Yes." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst for the market.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It was an hour's good drive." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "At half-wages, in fact." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel