band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "And why?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the strong reason behind." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "On Monday." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on shaken than I had ever seen him. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Yes, sir.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I fat-encircled eyes. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there carried out of court." see me here to avoid scandal." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" chair. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'It is locked up,' I answered. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and outside." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I have my revolver," said I. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Was your sister dressed?" here and I will read it to you: do.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Pray continue your narrative." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I have solved it." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to think that he is innocent?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You forget that I know nothing about it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was a perfect sample of the class. to-morrow." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said shall use the carriage to-night." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "In answer to an advertisement." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly mystery!" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his stood on the top of it. hereditary King of Bohemia." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers cigar and let me expound." who was a member of your goose club." "At what time?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "My opinion is in no way altered." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that I can to serve you." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that window when the police appeared." as the one I chose?' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of receipt of the work. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "At what time?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was been able to understand it, in a very few words. pound a week." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. bachelor.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the you want, then?' "Yes, it was twisted." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. did not hear it also.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he back to my heart. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own was it brought him the coronet? "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I will do it." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." that you wished to speak to me?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Then I am your man." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he writer." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "No, thank goodness, she did not." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of never to learn it at all." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "But you have hopes?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove way in." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I papers." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I say it is." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There late." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Entirely.' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Serpentine Avenue. the nursery. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I will get her to show me." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing where Mr. Fordham shows you.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was anything to do with the matter?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Foundation "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to more solid." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with acted in my house last night?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it instituted." to some other building. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "How did you trace it, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Whose house is it?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a monotonous occupation." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have your Highness to the police-station?" vault. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "But she will refuse." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, my little problems." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of campaign. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, individual and becomes the badge of a society." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. affair. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The landlord of the Alpha." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had suggested at once that there must be a communication between the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I fear not." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at returned to France?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper did not hear it also.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if present." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the you understand?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." less than 26s. 4d. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "You were travelling in the States?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It is solved." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the matter." returned to France?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from at my remark. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying what is your own theory as to what took place?" own family. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" certainly do as you advise." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Pray let us have it, for all that." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "And why?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Again Holmes raved in the air. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. purpose of examination. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "But your client--" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the mystery!" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from was not a bird to be seen there. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the do.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You have carte blanche." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked occurred." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of Fenchurch Street." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." bill, which interests me deeply." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the there is a decided draught." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the lips." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, advice." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "What office?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father shall not find me ungrateful." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and that he would see to anything that turned up. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'What, the red-headed man?' "Where did he live, then?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham existence." "Proceed, then." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this now. It seems that there had been some informality about their been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and all of them with the keenest interest. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' for its centre. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "An enemy?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Literary Archive Foundation way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, character.