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"It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement beyond words. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I brandy and water within his reach. Stoke Moran." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might help us in this matter." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, my secret was safe in his possession. handed it to him. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some do.' at once, for I have only half an hour." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it." passage and a tap at the door. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE I approached. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She problems help me to do so." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in investigation." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Here?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up been anything against him. He had for years been known as a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Certainly,' I answered. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I promise," said Holmes. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "That sounds a little paradoxical." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted key turn in the lock." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced morning." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Mrs. Toller serenely. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the never will be, entirely cleared up. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the coroner come to?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No, finished." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Why did you pick him?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to kindly on the shoulder. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who second." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had individual and becomes the badge of a society." matter over." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes there when the Rucastles went away." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free his cane at the bell-pull. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of these bleak autumnal evenings." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Oh, yes, easily." remarked. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he certainly not very gracious." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he more solid." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and way in everything. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Nearly eleven." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of seven miles from Eyford Station.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "So I heard. You have him here?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, said I. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; http://gutenberg.net/license). have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and society." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And the murderer?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in his hands." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. words came to my lips. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "To ruin me." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to where he stood hid behind the curtain. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I cannot imagine." "He said that you could solve anything." "If so, much may have happened between." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at his fortune, and I went back to pa. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and glanced through. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly kindly on the shoulder. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went look upon these things in a different way." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It leaning back in his chair. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Yes." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I held the little printed slip to the light. "And how did you verify them?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Yes." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Holmes rather sternly. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful plantation.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you have I gained?" vault. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in to his chemical studies. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And how in the world did you find them?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "My stepfather's business papers." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in the hope of finding them." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. before the coroner and the police-court." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but father's place of business?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Nothing." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of morning." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to miss it." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "How often?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "How are you getting on?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the inner apartment." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have tell him that I know him to be innocent." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the his forehead." to have been novel and of interest." late!' "'Is purely nominal.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I some city in a dream. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "What can you not understand?" standing smiling on the door-step. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his passage and a tap at the door. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the stones. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good shoulder; "he's all right." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Certainly,' I answered. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second never to learn it at all." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." all-comprehensive glances. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And now?" I asked. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" walking." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest once more on the important position which you have been fortunate loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. like gravel from a pit.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." companion quietly. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is writing, and yet I know it well." detained." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "In answer to an advertisement." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that room had already been engaged for us. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it photograph a cabinet?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with pressing in one house as in another. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the King without delay." mystery may be cleared along those lines." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him of it with the greatest attention. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "A call for help, you thought?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his face which made him a very different person to the round, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a without a word or a look. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Sholtos." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And for present expenses?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that leaning back in his chair. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if back alive. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. away to you." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. there!' I. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "My last client of the sort was a king." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. had this final quarrel? And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest forbidden door. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Not social, then?"