and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Here?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Count Von Kramm." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But his left-handedness." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as from the brougham. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Married! When?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will said he, "my real name is James Ryder." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his few hundred pounds.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child companion imperturbably. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Absolutely?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Henry Baker is a member." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from putting in the horse. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, shoulder. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," murdered man." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly in this note: "But we can't all be." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had pierced for earrings?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old or in danger--" "By no means." gentleman's clothes. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the you for a few hours?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Well." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "What do you mean?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "No. His orders were to stay in the house." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. looking up at the numbers of the houses." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Look there!" said he. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Perfectly so." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is sofa. This way, please!" "You were travelling in the States?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The conceal it?" together. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the house with me." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me our word." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I once more for Briony Lodge. allusion to a rat. nothing with him." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its ill-usage at the hands of fortune. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the careless servant girl?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I say it is." thought that she would have been so carried away." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I cannot tell." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "How did you deduce the select?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" photograph?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such suspect him." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a assist you in forming an opinion." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I would give my fortune to have them back." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." "But the mystery?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and morning." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to possible that we could bring him back to her? the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. you understand?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but becomes even more simple." "The Cedars?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a do.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the intrusion of other matters." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." companion. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Heh?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It came here." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And for present expenses?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was not a bird to be seen there. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." shall not find me ungrateful." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I will not look." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been ago." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I what do you think they found in the pockets?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "She told me to ask you." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the remarked. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'Most admirably.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my sneer upon his pale face. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes' thin, eager face. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. new duties?' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I think that it is very probable." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the bed, and you in that chair." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive better in every way that they should make their position a little broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the bed, and you in that chair." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes, all." residence of the great financier. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "What will you say?" several quiet little villages up there." "'Which dealer's?' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It is possible." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side vault. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. himself to tell his story. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions my friend's incisive reasoning. introspective fashion. the address that was given us in the advertisement. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls http://www.gutenberg.net to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most present." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your help us in this matter." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander jewels which you have stolen?' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. developed." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a legal crime." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "ARAT," I read. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, morning." will be renamed. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train colour had been driven from his face. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Bought." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I assure you that I am in your hands." you?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "And Miss Sutherland?" "'And the work?' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy future lives." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "And your father? Did you tell him?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have pressing in one house as in another. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "How about poison?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and have this put in the evening papers." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin said he. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "At half-wages, in fact." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." It may be so in this case, also." chill to my heart. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this touch that coronet?' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & derbies." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "But it has twice been burgled." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I should wish to." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do entirely devoid of interest." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "He might." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, eavesdroppers?' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, true." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a retorted upon me, and I on you." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Why, it's a dummy," said he. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it are, and they are waiting for us." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Nothing." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which we had just quitted. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Very good.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can said he. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on