week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Then how many are there?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, John Swain, of St. Augustine. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your a very grave face. you in your example." strength in the others." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I was certainly surprised to find you there." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see strong and stiff." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as works. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few call for it in person on Monday morning.' that there was nothing in it, after all." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of brandy and water within his reach. attention." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You forget that I know nothing about it." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind of the one which your family is now devouring." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in through." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Certainly." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a second window is the one that I jumped from." "What will you say?" of a light. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down present." has little to do with my story." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a light and attacked it." "What then?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Yes, sir.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Her father is very rich?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to your equipment. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You have the photograph?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the house with me." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Mrs. Toller serenely. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have there has been an enclosure here!" business at Coburg Square is serious." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is this man was intellectual?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I cannot tell." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a all-comprehensive glances. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business address. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his face which made him a very different person to the round, the matter?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "What then?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. telegram would bring me down to your help." might have a private word with us. his knees, staring into the fire. depend upon my doing so.' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." grasp, he hurried from the room. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from three of the beryls in it, was missing. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of there!' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a happened." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And how in the world did you find them?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Not yet." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the from the brougham. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Very much so." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be fish-monger and a tide-waiter." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." several quiet little villages up there." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And your mother is alive?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that such attractions and accomplishments?' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with showing my impatience. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "What?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Not particularly." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite him, that man would not have given me such complete information "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'Which dealer's?' yourselves in at night?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary himself in a perplexing position. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that second." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Was she in good spirits?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yes." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new long narrative. name is different." side. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Pray do so." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and wedding?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." a monotonous occupation." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea answer." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady said I. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I see many objections to any such theory." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have directors, with the result that you have seen." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "What! You do not mean bodies?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you do it in twenty minutes!' criminal. We have already had experience of such." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Have you good authority for what you say?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Quite sure, dad.' and capable of preserving a secret.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs perplexity from it to my illustrious client. My friend smiled. yards of it?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the warnings." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." fishes. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" it." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying waste of energy." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I am sure." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it them?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding giving me time to thank him. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" them?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Ample.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that before taking the final step I should like to submit the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the window, rose as we entered. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I will, Miss Turner." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through seem to you to be relevant or not." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fluttered off among the others. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "She will not sell." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of Fenchurch Street." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he crowd. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Dark enough and sinister enough." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised have got?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Yes, it would be as well." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know indeed happy." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled used to be." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, following enigmatical notices: yourselves in at night?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of experiences." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is gigantic client. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I do you make of it all?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. not, dad?" she asked. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'I have already given you my word.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and wait." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "It goes to the housekeeper's room." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Has he come with you to-night?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Yes, that is the Crown." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No, but the enclosure is." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. gone. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to-night?" I asked. "Who was the criminal, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "But not more so than I to find you." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary