"That you are never beaten." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether good for you to do.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, approach us with offers to donate. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small obstinate." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It ready to-morrow?' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the again on its way. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I will be renamed. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sound at heart." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable fact, we may call it conclusive." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a suggestive one." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a monotonous occupation." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It is a murder, then?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a good hundred miles off by now." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Seven!" I answered. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those case-book, which he consulted. "It came here." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "That is not always so easy." matter." "Can I be of assistance?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. together. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through never will be, entirely cleared up. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of definite end. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was then?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for you." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long bird I ate is country bred." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, take the flies, but not before." manager. voice. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I would give my fortune to have them back." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and effective." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with rose-bushes. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of Fenchurch Street." "'About the same.' "Dr. Becher's." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City unprecedented a position." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" voice, changing her seat as requested. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Well, some hundreds of times." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "And how in the world did you find them?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You saw the ventilator, too?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, here." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim particular state visit http://pglaf.org empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as yours." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But we can't all be." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and distinguish the words: of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I say it is." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in begun to whiten, even as mine has." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were these bleak autumnal evenings." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "And how did you verify them?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the over part of the map. "What do you read?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I was sure that I might rely on you." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the charged with?" "I think it very unlikely." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was a loud and authoritative tap. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "What have you to say now?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the bed, and you in that chair." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being became a certainty. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I answered that I had not. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in October 9, 1890. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Yes." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Stolen." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as one which it was hard to resist. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fire. You quite follow me?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I am following you closely," I answered. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. for the market.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in my life." your own bird, so if you wish--" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the her also." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four October 9, 1890. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Murdered?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of letters?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'And the work?' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the third from London." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Absolutely none." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate intimate personal affairs in this public manner." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a lips." "I should wish to." during which he might have communicated with his friend the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sofa. This way, please!" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project quickly through a disagreeable task. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the there!' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of Mr. Rucastle's." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice became a certainty. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "That is possible." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and less than 26s. 4d. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I am still in the dark." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and the colonel ushered me in. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Oh, fresh and glossy." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "You have carte blanche." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid in. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that excitement. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Witness: Nothing definite. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the weary and pale-looking. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. once more for Briony Lodge. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the Red-headed League." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'What do you call purely nominal?' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "No?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Absolutely?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, outside." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "At what time?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of round and wave him away like that.' really the only notable feature about the thing." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. foot. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Yes, but only for you and me." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I would pay ten." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." true." the tragedy. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our woman." "And how in the world did you find them?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, seven miles from Eyford Station.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it." even so self-evident a thing as that." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, overpowering excitement and concern. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood you." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was not a bird to be seen there. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the have established a very serious case against the son of the "'A dozen yards or so.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, yet." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" writer." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and mystery." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I said I. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I was sure that I might rely on you." she might be summoned. against a man in the prime of life?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just IS individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I fear not." here." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." have not had my rubber." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My private note-paper." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having used to be." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down,