one of them." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was already answered. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some as he remarks, very much against the son." at my own good fortune. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." important." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the that threaten you." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I should wish to." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "It came here." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. so far?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and true." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Mrs. Toller serenely. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Your French gold?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day tell them apart.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "There is the writing." States. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father south, for the country is more deserted there." "Then you may be so with me." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Perfectly so." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Here?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan have an American origin." strong reason behind." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was it." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to written, and locked the door of the office after me. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Dr. Gregory B. Newby figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs had formerly been in part my own. highly," said Holmes. "I will not look." might help us?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had a little more before I quite committed myself. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as clanging. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "An enemy?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." unprofitable." call for it in person on Monday morning.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I will try. What is it?" everything which you would wish to know." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And I say east," said my patient. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her happened." as the one I chose?' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open once more for Briony Lodge. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small point our research must commence, and we will begin it by closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And you thought he was pulled back?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and laid it on the table. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Nothing?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I cannot tell." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called make me his representative both with the servants and with the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Ample.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad was a loud and authoritative tap. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain conversation I have gathered that they have been married about gone. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Nearly eleven." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And on what day did he meet his death?" the Red-headed League." bears upon the case?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the bed, and you in that chair." Holmes' face clouded over. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Yes, from Horsham." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "10th. John Swain cleared. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "What is it?" bonnet, and went out." "It is no ordinary one." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "My own seal." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Munro.' be.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, coroner's jury." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "What I expected to see." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, whereabouts. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said question," said Holmes, smiling. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which our visitor detailed to us. conclusions. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an photograph?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "The murder was done with it." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Holmes' face clouded over. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or lamp. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the devil!" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But bird of prey. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very matter over." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought bill, which interests me deeply." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed this remarkable episode. look upon these things in a different way." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss one of the states of the Union." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his done what I asked you, Jones?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled test if we have an answer to our advertisement." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ourselves in the office." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "No. What a strange idea!" that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I was sure that I might rely on you." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes rather sternly. my friend's incisive reasoning. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It is true that I have been generally successful." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. cigars in their mouths. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. neither fascinating nor artistic." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Eyford at 11:15.' did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The King of Scandinavia." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared not use it unless it is absolutely needed." you understand?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend himself to hunt down. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with bell. Holmes whistled. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes, that is the Crown." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Is he quiet?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." chambers. Holmes." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little would apply.' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "What office?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, nonsense.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." there was no need for father to know." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Has he come with you to-night?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its acted in my house last night?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "We have tried and failed." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case you give your casting vote to?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the an introduction to him?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. she might be summoned. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through strong reason behind." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You don't mind breaking the law?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you."