blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church eavesdroppers?' him!" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to-night." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year despaired of." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "The gentleman I describe." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hurried by. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. undoubtedly my uncle's." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Holmes' thin, eager face. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he evidence," I remarked. "You have a clue?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and inquire as to the address." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "But his lameness?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a empty. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. chemical work which was so dear to him. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the coronet in his hands?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 during which he might have communicated with his friend the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid yards of it?' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the despair." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it strange features which were associated with the two crimes which As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, will not take me long to tell. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that papers." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Was your sister dressed?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter points in connection with it which never have been, and probably confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the iron safe, which he closed upon it. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle a room. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle four million human beings all jostling each other within the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us had this final quarrel? And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'What, the red-headed man?' photograph?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Nothing." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in true." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced matters immensely." "Well." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 said he at last. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Arthur Conan Doyle equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Because he was handy and would come cheap." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "How many? I don't know." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Have you her photograph?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Oh, no.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead my room." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I made him keep the appointment." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my not come at once?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and glanced through. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend prepare for the new role I have to play." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. in his power. "Yes." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I your sleep?' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, future lives." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, all?" careless servant girl?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. even so self-evident a thing as that." "Never to return." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Now, then, what's the last entry?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite because she had spent so short a time in this country that she about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most that I am arrested." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "He might." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair all-comprehensive glances. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling in the hope of finding them." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and a shock of very red hair. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ordinary clothes on?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is acting for the best. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged him." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it with his own hands." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they so.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "No more words. Get out!" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the plantation.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed are, and they are waiting for us." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but own family. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Sholtos." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands again." "It is possible." Heh?' disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Was there a secret marriage?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I will, Miss Turner." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I promise," said Holmes. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of kindly on the shoulder. "He said that you could solve anything." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you interests were the same as his." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you national property. I was determined that the law should have its dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "We must sit without light. He would see it through the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can you?' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "A greater distance to travel." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "And is that all?" minor matters until to-morrow." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Stolen." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "We were both in the photograph." had a long day." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "It certainly sounds feasible." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear opened a pocket-book and took out a note. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Then let me do so?' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "What can it mean?" I gasped. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." other means.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced charge against him will break down." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day if she died from some sudden fright." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "That is unusual in a young girl." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred words came to my lips. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more where she found matters as described by the last witness. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I have seen the police." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He away to you." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "That is not always so easy." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately heavily into it. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in nothing with him." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady shoulder; "he's all right." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." until night should bring an explanation. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." have one." note?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and I shall be with you presently." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What steps will you take?" I asked. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "VIOLET HUNTER." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the see a sister of mine apply for." "None. Neville wrote those words." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "A greater distance to travel." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The landlord of the Alpha." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Yes." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Arthur Conan Doyle "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." observed. "'As governess?' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Your presence might be invaluable." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, is worth.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of into the bag, and made for the door. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Yes, the wine-cellar." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with