"Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." one of them." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the best of training." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope ill-usage at the hands of fortune. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Why? What do you mean?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "And sit in the dark?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." anything to do with the matter?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an infinite languor in his face. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "May I see it?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, very old mansion. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You have the photograph?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a believe that I should never have any practice at all. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Then, as to money?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, might have a private word with us. late!' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward second." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I have a cab outside." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously during that time.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Yes." legal crime." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his she might be summoned. "But how?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." interested in these little problems, and since you are good somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the loss of it. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "That also I could fathom." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes' face clouded over. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." to-morrow." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked was a perfect sample of the class. foresight and the moral retrogression?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son woman who has had her own way to make in the world. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be with some details as to your case." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story woven round him. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. village inn over there?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the his wife has ceased to love him." suddenly upon us." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from geese which you supplied to the Alpha." have one." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." tell them apart.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. him to be an active member of the medical profession." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Doctor, of the paper and the date." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Perhaps I have." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "How many? I don't know." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing works. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public shaken than I had ever seen him. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual been anything against him. He had for years been known as a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my your room." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Entirely.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen ready to-morrow?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, events, Mr. Windibank!" that I can to serve you." ways of our fellow-men." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "A confidential servant?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I it." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "May I see it?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook he bowed and left the room without another word. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose would apply.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. had picked up in the wood. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a minor matters until to-morrow." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists colour had been driven from his face. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This corner of the building. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "From his hat?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have particular state visit http://pglaf.org receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a distinguish the words: man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his problems help me to do so." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that congenial hunt. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Street. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "That is possible." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." will not take me long to tell. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he http://gutenberg.net/license). reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, empty. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "What shall I do?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before rooms." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Certainly." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we asked. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "No." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." important." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Was he the only applicant?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Never,' said I. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached guilty parties." "Have you it here?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle time." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cigars in their mouths. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a lost nothing by them." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" washing it down with a long draught of water. cigar and let me expound." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "No, finished." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a some water from a caraffe. "She walked into the breakfast-room." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it one or two very singular points about this room. For example, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'I have heard so.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Then what has happened to him?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at through." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in companion imperturbably. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This golden eyeglasses. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then yet." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You will not go there first?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with read over the extraordinary announcement. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the pictures, libraries, or plate. "I cannot tell." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes. He waved his hands." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "The doctor?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than of the one which your family is now devouring." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord new acquaintance to Baker Street. do you make of it all?" true." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big room. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Yes, I promise.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, License. You must require such a user to return or I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Oh, yes, easily." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Street. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by whole matter to your consideration." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles delighted to hear it," he said. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or been shamefully used." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Where could I find him?' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather dead, shall be safe with us." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to him, that man would not have given me such complete information "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his voice, changing her seat as requested. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Stoke Moran?" said he. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Witness: It was. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that three of the beryls in it, was missing. hour." "I will, Miss Turner." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a