be.' "So I heard. You have him here?" way in." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Munro.' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the little opening for the ventilator is." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the speckled band?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I case-book, which he consulted. relief. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot happened." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a generous with you in money matters.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "In heaven's name, what for?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of families. Now for the facts. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Was she in good spirits?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. next day. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You horrify me." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." I think that I could be of assistance to you." situation." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I would pay ten." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, but preventing her from injuring another. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Sholtos." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods your billet.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, come either from the window or the door. My attention was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his as yours." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Is purely nominal.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "None." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. fait accompli?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we out." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have this as likely?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. directors, with the result that you have seen." chill to my heart. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the roots. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "How did that help you?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a conceal it?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and the church but not where the lady lived." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and fuss that is made over them." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. bearing upon the case." "'As governess?' his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began that there was nothing in it, after all." constraint." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily answered with a sidelong glance. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter minor matters until to-morrow." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But what will you do?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an there were so many in the whole country as were brought together St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I am to be neutral?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, strong and stiff." crime. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I don't believe it." jewels which you have stolen?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was your bag." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At jewels which you have stolen?' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather upon a handsome competence. was a perfect sample of the class. wedding?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, my little problems." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to 1.F. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said me where it went to?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much into the bag, and made for the door. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Holmes." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly through." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I have seen the police." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that you wished to speak to me?' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official not personally threatened." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might entirely devoid of interest." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes." and looked back. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP notes," he said. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "And the cigar-holder?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there were so many in the whole country as were brought together written. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely politicians who had been sent down from the North. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the into the bag, and made for the door. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after cigar and let me expound." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst individual and becomes the badge of a society." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a disappearance of the bride.'" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying never came back." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some from the brougham. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "How do you know, then?" me." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'It is locked up,' I answered. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It was." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "None." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Yes, there are nearly always some there." rat could hardly pass through." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Precisely." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "You have compromised yourself seriously." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We silent! Oh, he will be silent!' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "How on earth--" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." awkward doing business with an alias." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the roots. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. read it out to me." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: him, that man would not have given me such complete information charge against him will break down." maiden herself was most instructive." memory. events than those which have happened in my own family." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Where did you address your letters, then?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Yes.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual I shall communicate with you." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I man. "I have hopes." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly affair. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this intimate personal affairs in this public manner." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "It was an hour's good drive." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "A greater distance to travel." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little again before evening." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "You did not overhear what they said?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "And the cigar-holder?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds night.' said he. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said them, and came down just as you departed. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box without a word or a look. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the closely." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I will do it." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how arms and began to sob in a high treble key. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "We have tried and failed." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any hour?' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the affection." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That III. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to-night?" I asked. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to-night?' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "My dear Holmes!" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known weighed down with some great anxiety. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of Fenchurch Street." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man,