not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "It is possible." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "But to whom?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'Quite sure, dad.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked distinguish the words: always that they were such commands as a lady might with glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot bearing upon the case." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual cost them two and thirty pounds." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in friends, not even his own brother. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back populous neighbourhood." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said to have that photograph." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "No." "Always." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. one which it was hard to resist. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a until night should bring an explanation. "I think that it is very probable." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." very morning of my second wedding." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger me what he had done with the three missing stones. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But your client--" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his wife has ceased to love him." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "She told me to ask you." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "You horrify me." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some less than 26s. 4d. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, father's place of business?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a locked." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me their singular warning or token before them when starting upon your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your foot. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "No?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My all that?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler towards the blaze. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons congratulate you again." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "You were travelling in the States?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That kind enough to tell me what I should do." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure late!' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And is that all?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this been." "Have you it here?" bell. Holmes whistled. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It some water from a caraffe. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked photograph?" "And help." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "And how did you verify them?" "What shall I do?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there who was a member of your goose club." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, skylight. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Quite sure, dad.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you such person." "I will do it." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which morning." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope carried out of court." would then never go into court at all." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** with some details as to your case." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" undoubtedly my uncle's." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I was afraid that you were engaged." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had meanly of me." he. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of writers could invent nothing more crude." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of them present such singular features as the strange train of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the inner apartment." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up round and wave him away like that.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Then let me do so?' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in his hands." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass where we are going." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but License. You must require such a user to return or will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Never." posted to-day." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "No?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." from you?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything it right.' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'Certainly not.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "10th. John Swain cleared. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, you." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from this as likely?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at that the gas is not laid on in his house?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of off." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite their singular warning or token before them when starting upon cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, are windows in it, of course?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Pray do so." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "When did it break out?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "My dear Holmes!" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" served to weaken the effect. lumber-room." really the only notable feature about the thing." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my his fortune, and I went back to pa. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though bachelor.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" again on its way. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private these bleak autumnal evenings." awaited us upon the table. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had maiden herself was most instructive." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend several quiet little villages up there." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere in one or two places in England?' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Why? What do you mean?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your dates and names. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the house with me." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Very much so." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And how did he make his money?" was keenly on my guard against him. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And is that all?" British peeress.'" vanished into the darkness. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "So I am. Very much so." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from speckled band?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Then you may be so with me." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long not use it unless it is absolutely needed." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little forecastle of an emigrant ship. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the station." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk strength." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes any." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he already referred to. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that, and I came down." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Where is it, then?" introspective fashion. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you our word." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little you came in." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. papers on the sundial.'" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I chambers. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 eat it." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "You did not overhear what they said?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Imitated." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do what I may call a really hard day's work." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Yes, all." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper,