"'Yes, sir.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I girl said." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end may never be exposed to such a temptation." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do matter." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. south, for the country is more deserted there." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day head. So long, then!" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "An enemy?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the business matters.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "It certainly sounds feasible." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. off." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a money should be paid at once.' of Fenchurch Street." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, go from here to the Strand." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I think that it is very probable." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You have compromised yourself seriously." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes, from Horsham." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both this man was intellectual?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper bearing upon the case." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Yes.' remarked. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever was it brought him the coronet? "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Get out!" said he. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked occupations.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not true." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution morning." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me daring than any effort of the imagination." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is ventilator." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we unprofitable." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to miss it." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here purpose of examination. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, carriage. It was a chestnut." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in photograph?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The rest you will leave in our hands." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been had picked up in the wood. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "In what way?" asked Holmes. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And you can do nothing until then?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I will try. What is it?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private there were so many in the whole country as were brought together though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "But she will refuse." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "The vanishing of the lady." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "None." "And what then?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me to you." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, chance at all." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned if she died from some sudden fright." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "A client, then?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the so-precious time, but come!' "He disappeared so suddenly." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached sentimental considerations in the background which would induce laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Because he was handy and would come cheap." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "An accident, I presume?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "My private note-paper." "I will get her to show me." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake with the outside air!" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean man. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in the dead of the night?' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "My private note-paper." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in less than 26s. 4d. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "And what then?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Nothing." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his annoyance, but no jest. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had foresight and the moral retrogression?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy swore that no one else had been in the front room during the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, with you alone." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "You have compromised yourself seriously." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and your relations to her." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Seven!" I answered. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of that I can to serve you." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the than to us. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And help." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich carriage. It was a chestnut." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. read it out to me." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between you." "Yes, it was twisted." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Pope's Court. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Seven!" I answered. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I am not easy in my mind about them." people don't know." "It is very kind of you." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a of campaign. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted maiden herself was most instructive." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "But your client--" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in copied or distributed: of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "How many? I don't know." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "The murder was done with it." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "The landlord of the Alpha." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." unprecedented a position." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the some water from a caraffe. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Then the page we have seen--" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin second." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fact, we may call it conclusive." place of silver." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat photograph?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the it means?" "Not yet." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Never,' said I. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the stones. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Very much so." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which highroad, where all traces were lost. are, I think, all that we need." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You are hungry," I remarked. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or chill to my heart. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for few hundred pounds.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of should be so warm over such a trifle." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the that so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows stammered. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Why did you pick him?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by fluttered off among the others. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired is a common subject for conversation. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "It is his hat." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is which should have the effect of calling the attention of the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every could gather together that I was able to avert another public value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I a good hundred miles off by now." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I will not look." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad voice. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other