"Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent happened." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to a light-house. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make soul! here is her carriage at the door." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." mysterious business." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall would apply.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Get out!" said he. train.' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and grasp, he hurried from the room. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "VIOLET HUNTER." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What clanging. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for important." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I say that I have solved it." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you more terrible than the truth. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. is now desirous of getting those letters back." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes, I have one waiting." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said II. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to once more to my work. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend maid will bring up your coffee." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the introspective fashion. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "My own seal." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "What of the rat, then?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce wedding?" companion imperturbably. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business DISSOLVED. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." photograph a cabinet?" 'please.'" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Entirely." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police direction." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "That is it on the dressing-table." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Has he come with you to-night?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I think that it is very probable." just called myself is not exactly my own." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And how did you verify them?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then she used." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other or other trace. But how on earth--" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. again, where I was soon asleep. "So I have heard." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Of what?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a nonsense.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond matter." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either children over to America with him, so that I found myself without test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Then let me do so?' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of we went to search for him, face downward in a little Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to-night?' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your chill to my heart. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a ventilator." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into other means.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'Yes, sir.' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. sufficient punishment." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. important." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Where to?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "They are typewritten," I remarked. six. Come in!" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes, he did." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And leave your case unfinished?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if like that before?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Literary Archive Foundation still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Yes.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "What office?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think British peeress.'" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. way: groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the at my remark. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." better grown goose." My friend smiled. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this fattened it expressly for you.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is occupations.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "But she could not love him." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy see me here to avoid scandal." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, I have one waiting." to-night's adventure." the address that was given us in the advertisement. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' kindly on the shoulder. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I answered that I had not. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that you wished to speak to me?' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' man. I know him from the photograph." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of during which he might have communicated with his friend the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. suspect him." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me man. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left strength of mind to control. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "VIOLET HUNTER." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up enter into my head. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "How often?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, just called myself is not exactly my own." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in plantation.' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a emerged. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has late." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting was a perfect sample of the class. "You were travelling in the States?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind which I could not give. He asked for Alice. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has few hundred pounds.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the villagers almost as much as their master. enter into my head. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, all?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "And Irene Adler?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second did not hear it also.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey murdered man." questioning and rather startled gaze. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, help us in this matter." carpenter." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias you found me to-night--and running through the front room she when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I would pay ten." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is she to prove their authenticity?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. fact, we may call it conclusive." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per bird I ate is country bred." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that he will be back before evening." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And your father? Did you tell him?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I have solved it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of his shoulders. "Well?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "On your arm?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which corner of the building. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt said Mr. Holder. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "It is half-past ten now." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. hour." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I upon a handsome competence. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end any more." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some seven miles from Eyford Station.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King along the entire front of the house, with three long windows neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Yes, certainly." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way guilty one." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her purpose equally well?" "Imitated." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the there." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. any little problem which you may submit to me." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded