"'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You room?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but joking. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "To an end?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could cheerful." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking seen the man in the road." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must upon the sideboard." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Was she in good spirits?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You think that he is dead?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Not particularly." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an locked." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I maiden herself was most instructive." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that he has suffered." You want to know what became of those geese?" You want to know what became of those geese?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It suspect him." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Yes, at the mines." affection." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "So I have heard." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Certainly." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet business." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance do." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No, but the enclosure is." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that it with his own hands." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. fattened it expressly for you.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the bed, and you in that chair." "It is half-past ten now." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and inquire as to the address." woven round him. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." morning." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Mary, has deserted me." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. memory. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a them?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of that, and I came down." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who thin legs towards the fire. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my next day. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the there." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon forbidden door. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Quite so." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley green of the new foliage. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "But how?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. gentleman's clothes. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the served to weaken the effect. have I gained?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "No more words. Get out!" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "None." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I cannot imagine." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Yes, sir." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard room. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You horrify me!" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in into the bag, and made for the door. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Stolen, then." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with at my own good fortune. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could You want to know what became of those geese?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the behind me. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. against a man in the prime of life?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a get her out of the way." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall matter." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what might help us?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he enter into my head. within hail.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector your sleep?' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as case before our client came into the room." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to a light-house. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." him and tried to hold him back. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed his huge brown hands. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the been with you?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my signal between you and your father? evidence," I remarked. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her ran thus: of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" infinite languor in his face. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave woman who has had her own way to make in the world. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Absolutely?" which our visitor detailed to us. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No, but the enclosure is." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him dead, shall be safe with us." "The gentleman I describe." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And Miss Sutherland?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me rose-bushes. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Seven!" I answered. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Certainly not. But why?' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after searched, without anything being found which could incriminate present." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and enter into my head. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "No sign of it?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Oh, yes, easily." "But your client--" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this of." "Pray do so." wedding?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how morning." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. my secret was safe in his possession. and that he would see to anything that turned up. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but you." "Yes. He waved his hands." "My own seal." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'What then?' I asked. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which which it had come upon my father." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." papers." guilty one." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." narrative." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser have got?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let retorted upon me, and I on you." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a once more. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you closing the door. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes." "I know where it is." to-night." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope with you alone." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the night.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a there in twenty minutes." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter which our visitor detailed to us. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the night.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to surprise her." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Certainly not.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." you in your example." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For retorted upon me, and I on you." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to you." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I cannot tell." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Here?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Certainly not.' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired persecution?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine late!' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing