building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "How did you deduce the select?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of mystery may be cleared along those lines." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that you can jump it.' "'Oh, no.' pound a week." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for charge against him will break down." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's out of this horrible affair." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the several quiet little villages up there." "No. What a strange idea!" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE tapping his fingers upon the table. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "That is unusual in a young girl." certainly not very gracious." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort definite end. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I directors, with the result that you have seen." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain letters?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the way: paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then foot. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, maid will bring up your coffee." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be third from London." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Oh, no.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over meant it for the best. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since test if we have an answer to our advertisement." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "If I can be of use." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Seven!" I answered. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." hand, madam?" "Dr. Becher's." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever British peeress.'" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less humiliation." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend will he say when he returns?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hour." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I was mad--insane." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "One of the highest in England." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or extraordinary contortions. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for begin with, and I had not got mine yet." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling so far?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the everything which you would wish to know." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "No, my brougham is waiting." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to side. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Thank you. Pray proceed." should be taken.' the so-precious time, but come!' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What then?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the heavily into it. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and possible that we could bring him back to her? but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their fuss that is made over them." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "One?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Miss Holder?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "So I have heard." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the child." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." my former friend and companion. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "How many? I don't know." Holmes." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "That also I could fathom." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she for its centre. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish train from Paddington which would bring you there at about wall." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the ceiling. The events in question occurred in the early days of my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded throat." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to remarked. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I have hopes." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the it with his own hands." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "A call for help, you thought?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies into the bag, and made for the door. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, question. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a him!" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It is solved." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project face and glided from the room. have had none more fantastic than this." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the very morning of the wedding." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to a light-house. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and that he would see to anything that turned up. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the bottom.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were carried out of court." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all hardly wander." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. certainly do as you advise." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business cause to be." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is look dissatisfied." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "An enemy?" "Upon what point?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, father's place of business?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight in the dead of the night?' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And how did you find out?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" becomes even more simple." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Then you may entirely rely on me." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I should be immensely obliged to you." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "None." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I into the bag, and made for the door. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, spare." "'I am sure if I had known--' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand colour had been driven from his face. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round behind me. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it do you make of it all?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a should be taken.' the south-west, I see." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in me upon any point which I do not make clear." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I am to be neutral?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be security.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should recover the gem." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud floor. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I shall most certainly do so." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And the cigar-holder?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to-night?' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this signal between you and your father? "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of than was visible to me." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Holmes' room. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Never." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I shall be delighted." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Then I can wait in the next room." friend's singular character. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I cannot tell." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "How on earth--" memory. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" his wife has ceased to love him." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I never have." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." awaited us upon the table. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ran thus: footfalls from the street. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "So I have heard." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in words came to my lips. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the see a sister of mine apply for." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to arrive at through this?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Now, then, what's the last entry?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the