on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right married her." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The decline of his fortunes, then?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Did you observe the colour?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "It looks newer than the other things?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Pool. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a matter." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and wait." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just look dissatisfied." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "But the mystery?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs how narrow had been my escape. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of once more for Briony Lodge. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and looking up at the numbers of the houses." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you sentimental considerations in the background which would induce season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less too. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to his knees, staring into the fire. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' instituted." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the even so self-evident a thing as that." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was envelope. has little to do with my story." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I will try. What is it?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. before the coroner and the police-court." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he remarked. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her it were putty." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "The Coroner: What do you mean? entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I cannot as yet see any connection." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." not as remarkable as your advertisement." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "That sounds a little paradoxical." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wedding?" you give your casting vote to?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "To an English lawyer named Norton." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured strong reason behind." was used.' down. "Married! When?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Absolutely none." have established a very serious case against the son of the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. in. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that I can to serve you." "How are you getting on?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his asked. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "But we can't all be." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she late!' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Then he might have called to you?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "But what harm can there be in that?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the over part of the map. "What do you read?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a copied or distributed: hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George villagers almost as much as their master. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Stolen." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has derbies." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The conceal it?" "One?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made public press." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his trifles." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable all that?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "And I say east," said my patient. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." a suggestive one." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would one's self under obligations.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. putting in the horse. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Literary Archive Foundation "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall goes." "What shall I do?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Certainly." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in him." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look awaited us upon the table. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his o'clock is it?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of kindly on the shoulder. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the bed, and you in that chair." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "What! Had he lost his wife?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The murder was done with it." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the driver. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by me what he had done with the three missing stones. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, astonishment. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Never.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You heard nothing yourself last night?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are could not account in any way for the presence of the missing insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very digesting their breakfasts at home." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Tired-looking or fresh?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the father's place of business?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after without success. At last the little money which I had saved began many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hurried by. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I was mad--insane." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "No, I am descending." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to I nodded to show that I had heard. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "What then?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Stoke Moran?" said he. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Precisely so. But how--" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the writer." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And Miss Sutherland?" "He is dead," cried several voices. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that certainly not very gracious." entirely lost his self-respect." the window, rose as we entered. "It is very clear." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." for securing the situation." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of Mr. Rucastle's." should be so warm over such a trifle." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "What, then?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a were new raised from a basin. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his some water from a caraffe. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed this Miss Turner." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. death." said he at last. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he became a certainty. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, than was visible to me." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, during which he might have communicated with his friend the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that threaten you." noting anything else of interest. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "And that is--" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My photograph." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." photograph?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." highroad, where all traces were lost. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "By train from Waterloo." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a her also." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "From his hat?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and no precautions can guard against." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Holmes, the busybody!" "You think so, too?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon unprecedented a position." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no