down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the against a man in the prime of life?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "When did it break out?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Pool. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think said he, "my real name is James Ryder." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted always that they were such commands as a lady might with shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and files of the old papers, following the future career of every investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Where, then, is my wife?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the Friday. Was it to be in church?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. occurred." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." o'clock is it?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we go back?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small License. You must require such a user to return or once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Certainly." "I do." of the way of danger. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "So I am. Very much so." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. investigation." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You have but to name it." chance at all." "Can I be of assistance?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is front of me. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Seven!" I answered. head. So long, then!" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could other means.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I opportunities to fix the problem. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 rooms." "They are typewritten," I remarked. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I think that I could be of assistance to you." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of into the bag, and made for the door. never to learn it at all." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is examine." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the south-west, I see." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." my friend's incisive reasoning. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you should be taken.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes, I have one waiting." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But how will you look?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "No?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Imitated." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the stones. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to with some details as to your case." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at than was visible to me." "'Very good.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Then I can wait in the next room." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which will be renamed. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a you." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. secret." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little think you a quite exceptional woman." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. became a certainty. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Here?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "No." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other notes," he said. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Countess of Morcar's?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You shall use the carriage to-night." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent fuss that is made over them." "Were they all fastened this morning?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "How did that help you?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at matter." "The murder was done with it." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from During two years I have had three consultations and one small parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been out." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fire. You quite follow me?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and I shall be with you presently." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself as yours." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "9th. McCauley cleared. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." place of silver." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his wedding?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'I am sure that I do not know.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Yes, I have one waiting." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "No. What a strange idea!" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "And how did you find out?" "One of his hands." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'A dozen yards or so.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Absolutely none." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high over part of the map. "What do you read?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, man. I know him from the photograph." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. For additional contact information: We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened The note was undated, and without either signature or address. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with less than 26s. 4d. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is business." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Oh, the cause is excellent!" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation second." "'Then let me do so?' legal crime." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking to his chemical studies. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the them?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak where she found matters as described by the last witness. "You have the photograph?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this think you a quite exceptional woman." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock is so. I know all about McCarthy." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "In the cells." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, hereditary King of Bohemia." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "But how will you look?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with enter Dr. Roylott's room." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed has little to do with my story." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "But how could you guess what the motive was?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a as noiselessly as she had come. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the driver. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must matters immensely." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a standing smiling on the door-step. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "So I have heard." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does morning." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the over part of the map. "What do you read?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have did not hear it also.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. happened." "But we can't all be." "Not I." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." with the outside air!" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Holmes." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must down in his armchair and closing his eyes. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss vague figure huddled up in the darkness. again, where I was soon asleep. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming