recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "No more words. Get out!" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What shall I do?" "No." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. vault. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of as he remarks, very much against the son." Miss Holder?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and works. yards of it?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the warnings." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "But what harm can there be in that?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Come in!" said he. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was has little to do with my story." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of that I am arrested." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The upon the sideboard." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Yes." "Look there!" said he. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our colour had been driven from his face. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "We must have a cab." The events in question occurred in the early days of my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The telegram which we eventually received came late one night where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the running down." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes, all." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the have accepted such a situation. to miss it." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Leadenhall Street--and--" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a room. "On your arm?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, might help us?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "It came here." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is geese which you supplied to the Alpha." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very crackling voice. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." your own bird, so if you wish--" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to-night?' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real The King stared at him in amazement. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom against a man in the prime of life?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The coat-tails." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "By train from Waterloo." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and I shall be with you presently." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of present." criminal. We have already had experience of such." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. memory. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "And now?" He raised his hand. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. beg that you will break it off." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with get the tickets." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You saw the ventilator, too?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity as noiselessly as she had come. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of window when the police appeared." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I guessed as much." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. locked." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Nothing." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were least a most suspicious remark." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, even of instruction." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in bedroom door." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "It is solved." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It missed him, then?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such had no one to advise her at such a crisis." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. acted in my house last night?" the devil!" "No, thank goodness, she did not." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "How can you tell that?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ready to-morrow?' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what of the vacancies.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "And did you observe any change in her then?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be obstinate." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered face and glided from the room. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to-night." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that better grown goose." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But how?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Holmes, the busybody!" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "None." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "No." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "None." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that other means.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a hands. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Literary Archive Foundation will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could sound at heart." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Leadenhall Street--and--" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties train.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural charged with?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Were they all fastened this morning?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "He might." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Nothing?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales in your London, you will know that the office of the company is at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." I nodded to show that I had heard. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "How did you deduce the select?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the with her." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper electronic works he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the said he. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I cannot imagine." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, feature." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Then you may be so with me." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened call you and give you the chance." "I am armed." done what I asked you, Jones?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the how narrow had been my escape. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a The summons was a brief and urgent one. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No good news?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the one as in the other." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and lamp. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "And now?" He raised his hand. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. intrusion of other matters." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, before, for it was considerably after midnight. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "No." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "No, but the enclosure is." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "How many? I don't know." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, three of the beryls in it, was missing. companion. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Married! When?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled words came to my lips. here." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Very. But will he see it?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, fact, we may call it conclusive." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I will do it." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, directors, with the result that you have seen." throat." me. You must get home instantly and act." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted seen the man in the road." daring than any effort of the imagination." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait formed some opinion?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and no precautions can guard against." address. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for yourselves in at night?" was shining brightly. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his case before our client came into the room." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour works. See paragraph 1.E below. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I guessed as much." Gutenberg-tm License. "No, I am descending." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to that you can jump it.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "How did he come?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and both be extremely obliged.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I answered that I had not. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' pound a week." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe.