"Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in key of the affair now." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "The landlord of the Alpha." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is that, and I came down." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "One of the highest in England." "No, but the enclosure is." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Witness: I must still refuse. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself which should have the effect of calling the attention of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he guilty parties." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the like that before?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Mary, has deserted me." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has I nodded to show that I had heard. desk. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "What! You do not mean bodies?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP enough to aid us in our search." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in fait accompli?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on cigar and let me expound." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. companion. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the stones. "But what harm can there be in that?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited congratulate you again." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much later, upon the night of May 2nd." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to was lame." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "One of his hands." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had appeal." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "That is unusual in a young girl." it. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I think it very unlikely." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told arrested. You then--" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. behind me. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure in darkness. "'Certainly,' I answered. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no second." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." into the bag, and made for the door. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent children over to America with him, so that I found myself without dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without throat." "I see many objections to any such theory." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, should be so warm over such a trifle." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bears upon the case?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "But you can know nothing of this?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Your presence might be invaluable." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the passage and a tap at the door. room had already been engaged for us. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a about here speaks of his kindness to him." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Where to?' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to a more successful conclusion." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was to miss it." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard kind enough to tell me what I should do." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Never.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "It is solved." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the inner apartment." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the very morning of the wedding." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again over his head with a sweet womanly caress. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was details." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so ordinary clothes on?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And now?" He raised his hand. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes, sir." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential little adventures." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? floor. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Certainly." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. you." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say bachelor.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the suspect him." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project The King stared at him in amazement. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the was feeling which was the fattest.' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your at once, for I have only half an hour." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." annoyance, but no jest. colonel looking down at me. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention not come at once?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, to a more successful conclusion." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in crime. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been villagers almost as much as their master. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I cannot think." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the paper in the air. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm with you alone." he bowed and left the room without another word. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must for the market.' maiden herself was most instructive." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. go back?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for introspective fashion. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you understand?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, your co-operation." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Nothing?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that he will be back before evening." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those not interfere, come what may. You understand?" McCarthy." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It is very clear." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the coronet in his hands?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Perhaps I have." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. nonsense.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "And your father? Did you tell him?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy case-book, which he consulted. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much disappearance of these gems?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and glanced through. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." once more for Briony Lodge. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the very morning of the wedding." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" at my own good fortune. questioning and rather startled gaze. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a this man was intellectual?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in light and attacked it." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such closely." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel was feeling which was the fattest.' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You have carte blanche." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in that threaten you." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Married! When?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon been anything against him. He had for years been known as a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "But his left-handedness." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "You saw the ventilator, too?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my said he at last. the dangers which encompass me." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and a shock of very red hair. "This concluded the examination of the witness." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, gigantic client. "By train from Waterloo." "'Stolen!' he cried. to change my dress. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer your own bird, so if you wish--" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and allusion to a rat. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "And why in hopes?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "But what will you do?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than companion imperturbably. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and flock.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to hour?' to tackle the facts." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "And what then?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'You doubt its value?' he asked. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and villagers almost as much as their master. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Have you it here?" Holmes' face clouded over. the window, rose as we entered. vanished into the darkness. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his forehead." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, meant."